OPP participating in seatbelt compliance campaign

Fastening a seatbelt takes only seconds but remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injury or death, a message police continue to emphasize to Ontario drivers. Vecteezy photo

By Lee Griffi

“Half a century later, Ontario’s seatbelt law still saves lives. If you aren’t buckling up, what’s holding you back?”

That was the opening line from an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) press release as cops remind people that seat belts are a critical part of a vehicle’s safety regime.   

With Ontario's seatbelt law heading into its 51st year, the OPP said nearly one in four road fatalities they investigate still involve someone who was not wearing a seatbelt.

“Dealing with dozens of deaths linked to a lack of seatbelt use every year recognizes that what makes these incidents even more tragic for the surviving families is learning that their loved one made the choice not to wear their seatbelt before heading out on the road,” the release stated.            

Over the Easter long weekend, OPP officers conducted a provincewide seatbelt campaign, hoping to see all drivers and passengers make the right choice by buckling up.

Oxford OPP media relations Const. Randi Crawford said her detachment was out in full force.

“The goal of the campaign is to highlight the education and enforcement of wearing seatbelts. This was done through spot checks similar to RIDE programs, safety messaging through social media and extra officers allocated to patrol.”

She added that while the focus over the weekend was on seatbelt violations, it also allowed officers to closely monitor and address other offences at the same time.

“These initiatives allow us to focus on messaging about specific types of infractions. By pairing that messaging with highly targeted patrols, we hope to positively influence driving behaviour, even if it’s just one person making a safer choice.”

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $240 and two demerit points. What people often forget is seatbelt laws include children being properly secured in an appropriate child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt for their weight, height and age. People are also encouraged to reinforce with their children and other family members the importance of making seatbelt use a lifelong habit.   

More information is available at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/choose-car-seat.shtml.

While recent local statistics on local historic fatalities or Easter weekend charges are unavailable, Crawford said the overall goal is to improve driver behaviour.

“As a police officer, we are always looking for every type of infraction while on patrol. These initiatives allow us to focus on messaging about specific types of infractions. With our messaging paired with increased patrols being very focused, we hope it changes the driving behaviours of at least one person for the better.”

Crawford said she didn’t encounter many people improperly wearing their seatbelts during her patrol days.

“I was really hoping we were getting to a point in society where everyone just wore them automatically. Perhaps the most concerning was seeing parents driving with their children not in car seats or with seatbelts.”

She said that excuse came mainly from folks in rural areas during nice weather when they were just going for a drive down the road.

“I would remind them that a driver may have to slam on the brakes or redirect their car for an unexpected animal or piece of debris, which could cause the children to move freely in the vehicle, potentially causing serious injuries, and that can happen anywhere. Seatbelts need to be worn for any distance.”

One concern from parents is a lack of car-seat clinics to ensure they are installed correctly. Crawford agreed but said there are still some out there.

“I suggest you search online for ‘car seat clinics near me.’ I know Oxford EarlyOn and the Children’s Aid Society of Oxford are hosting two events in May by appointment.”

She added one example of the importance of the proper installation of any type of baby or booster seat, or seatbelt, is still carved in her mind.

“There was a collision on the 401 outside of Woodstock last summer where the vehicle had rolled over. I remember everything was thrown around except the passengers who were secure with their seatbelts, and an infant safe and secure in their properly installed car seat. I saw with my own eyes it really can save lives.”

In 2025, the OPP responded to 41 Ontario road fatalities in which the lack of seatbelt use was either the cause or a contributing factor.

“At any time, you can become involved in a collision caused by another driver. The single most important thing you can do to protect yourself during a crash is to ensure you and all other vehicle occupants are properly buckled in," said OPP commissioner Thomas Carrique.